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Career Coaching programme

Our Career Coaching programme lets you discuss and explore your career concerns with a professional coach. The programme offers a safe, non-judgemental environment in which you are enabled to find your own solutions. You may find this programme helpful if you: 

  • don't have a clear career development path
  • need help recognising what motivates you, what your skills and values are and where you function at your best 
  • want to explore issues that could be having an impact on your work life.

Eligibility

  • You can apply to the programme if you are currently enrolled on any of our courses and have not participated in the programme before. (Please note that you will need to be enrolled for the duration of the coaching sessions.) 

How does career coaching work?

  • We offer up to six free one-hour career coaching sessions to help you gain clarity and focus in your career development. The sessions will enable you to start to define where you want to go, what it is you want and how you can  make it happen. 
  • The schedule for sessions is worked out by you and the coach, depending on your mutual availability. While social distancing guidelines are in place, all sessions will be delivered online. Once restrictions are relaxed, sessions can be a blend of online and face-to-face onsite at Birkbeck.
  • Once you are accepted onto the programme, you will be sent a client handbook explaining how the programme works. Please be aware that there is a waiting list. At the start of the process, the coach will draw up an agreement with you as a client, so you have a clear understanding of what will happen in the sessions. They are likely to do the following:
    • Work with you to identify negative thoughts and behaviour patterns that may be blocking your career development so you can address them. 
    • Use exercises that focus on a particular aspect of career and personal development, to highlight your values and skills and identify your interests, blocks and bridges. 
    • Ask you to complete small assignments between sessions. You will be encouraged to reflect and use this as a basis for understanding and action in your career coaching. 
  • The sessions are not prescriptive: the relationship and framework for the sessions will be individual to each coach and client. 

Our coaches

How to apply

  • Due to the high volume of applications, this year's Career Coaching programme is now closed.
  • Applications for the 2023/24 programme will reopen at the start of the next academic year.

What the programme does not cover 

  • This is not personal counselling: the focus will be on your career concerns and not your personal concerns (although they are often intertwined). If you feel you would benefit from personal counselling instead, please contact our Counselling Service. 
  • The Career Coaching programme does not offer advice and guidance sessions: the coach will not give you the answers to your career concerns or tell you what career you should follow.
  • In terms of ongoing support, there is an intensive online Career Change programme, plus a wide range of careers resources in the Abintegro Careers Portal available by selecting the Birkbeck Futures tile in your My Birkbeck profile.
  • For one-to-one support, you can book an appointment with one of our Careers Consultants via the Careers Portal by selecting the 'Handshake' option on the Birkbeck Futures tile in your My Birkbeck profile.

Contact us